Dracaena plant named ‘PVDRAGK’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dracaena  plant named ‘PVDRAGK’ which is characterized by the combination of large, very broad foliage born on a single dark green, unbranched stem, lorate-shaped and spiraled foliage, variegated foliage which is dark green and broadly and irregularly margined yellow-green with a yellow edge, older foliage which maintains the variegation, and the stability of these characteristics from generation to generation.

Latin name of the genus and species: The Latin name of the genus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Dracaena fragrans.

Variety denomination: The inventive cultivar of Dracaena disclosed herein has been given the variety denomination ‘PVDRAGK’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parentage: ‘PVDRAGK’ is a spontaneous whole-plant mutation of Dracaena frangrans ‘Golden Coast’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,603) which was discovered at a commercial greenhouse in Monster, the Netherlands in 2016. The mutation was initially noted for its unique foliage variegation. Said mutation was isolated for further evaluation to confirm the uniformity and stability of the unique characteristics first observed. Upon confirmation of the stability and uniformity of the characteristics, the new plant was selected for commercialization.

Asexual Reproduction: Asexual reproduction of ‘PVDRAGK’ is accomplished by way of rooting stem cuttings. Propagation was first performed in 2016 at the inventor's commercial greenhouse in Monster, the Netherlands. Through two subsequent generations, the unique features of this cultivar have proven to be stable and true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘PVDRAGK’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype. The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘PVDRAGK’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘PVDRAGK’ as a new and distinct Dracaena fragrans cultivar:

-   -   1. Dracaena ‘PVDRAGK’ exhibits large, very broad foliage born on         a single dark green, unbranched stem; and     -   2. Dracaena ‘PVDRAGK’ exhibits lorate-shaped foliage which is         moderately spiraled and curled downward, distally; and     -   3. Dracaena ‘PVDRAGK’ exhibits dark green foliage which is         broadly and irregularly margined yellow green, and edged yellow.     -   4. Dracaena ‘PVDRAGK’ exhibits older foliage which does not lose         the variegation and the yellow edging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, an exemplary plant of ‘PVDRAGK’ grown in Monster, the Netherlands. This plant, grown in a 15 cm nursery container, is approximately 26 weeks old from a rooted young plant; and

FIG. 2 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical upper foliage of ‘PVDRAGK’; and

FIG. 3 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color photographs of this type, the typical lower foliage of ‘PVDRAGK’.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following observations and measurements, made in May of 2019, describe averages from a sample set of six specimens of 26 week-old ‘PVDRAGK’ plants grown in 15 cm nursery pots in Monster, the Netherlands. Plants were produced using conventional greenhouse production protocols for Dracaena sp. which consisted of growing under shade cloth, irrigating at regular intervals with ebb and flow flood benches, and fertigation. No chemical treatments of any kind were utilized.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristics will vary with older or, conversely, with younger plants. ‘PVDRAGK’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions, sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to be understood that such characteristics are approximations or averages set forth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety may differ from the descriptions set forth herein with variations in environmental, climatic and cultural conditions. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 2015 (sixth edition).

A botanical description of ‘PVDRAGK’ and comparisons with the parent plant and most similar commercial Dracaena cultivar known to the inventor are provided below.

-   Plant description:     -   -   Growth habit.—Upright evergreen perennial with foliage born             on a solitary unbranched stem.         -   Plant profile.—Oblong.         -   Average height from base to top of foliage.—106.5 cm.         -   Average width.—Average of 76.8 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Moderately fast to fast growing.         -   Plant vigor.—Highly vigorous.         -   Propagation details.—Asexual propagation is accomplished by             stem cuttings.         -   Time to initiate roots.—Approximately 5 weeks are required             to initiate roots at 25 degrees Celsius.         -   Time to produce a marketable 15 cm potted             plant.—Approximately 15 to 30 weeks. Pinching will increase             lateral branching.         -   Disease and pest resistance or susceptibility.—Neither             tolerance nor resistance to normal diseases and pests of             Dracaena fragrans have been observed.         -   Environmental tolerances.—Adapt to USDA Hardiness Zones 10             through 12 and temperatures as high as 40 degrees Celsius;             moderate tolerance to rain and wind. -   Root system:     -   -   General.—Fibrous; freely branched and moderately dense             rooting.         -   Distribution in the soil profile.—Shallow to moderately             deep.         -   Texture.—Smooth; glabrous.         -   Color.—Greyed-orange, RHS N170A. -   Stems:     -   -   Branching characteristics.—Not freely branched in nature;             develops lateral branches only when manipulated by man by             way of pruning. Naturally produces one main stem arising             from the plant's base.         -   Attitude.—Near vertical.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Length.—72.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 2.6 cm.         -   Internode length.—Average 1.3 cm.         -   Stem texture.—Glabrous; smooth.         -   Stem luster.—Slightly glossy.         -   Color, developing stems.—Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 144C.         -   Color, mature stems.—Yellow-Green, nearest to a mixture of             RHS 144B and 146A.         -   Color at the internodes.—Yellow-Green, nearest to RHS 146A. -   Foliage:     -   -   Arrangement.—Spiraled.         -   Attachment.—Sheathed.         -   Division.—Simple.         -   Attitude.—Foliage near the apex is upright to outward and             becomes progressively more relaxed towards the base.         -   Number of leaves per lateral branch.—55.         -   Lamina.—Dimensions — 39.4 cm long and 2.7 cm wide, on             average. Shape — Lorate. Aspect — Moderately axially twisted             (i.e. spiraled); distal portion on the lamina pointing             downward. Apex — Acute with a short, soft but pointed tip.             Base — Sheathed. Sheath — Length — 4.6 cm. Width — 2.7 cm.             Color, adaxial surface — Green-white, nearest to RHS 157A.             Color, abaxial surface — Green, nearest to RHS NN137C.             Margin — Entire; coarsely undulate. Texture and luster of             adaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous and moderately glossy.             Texture and luster of abaxial surface — Smooth, glabrous and             matte. Color — Juvenile foliage, adaxial surface — Nearest             to in between green and yellow-green, nearest to RHS 143A             and 146A; broadly margined yellow-green, nearest to RHS             NN144B. Juvenile foliage, abaxial surface — Green, nearest             to RHS 138A, and margined yellow-green, nearest to RHS             N144D. Mature foliage, adaxial surface — Nearest to in             between green and yellow-green, nearest to RHS NN137A and             147A; broadly and irregularly margined yellow-green, nearest             to a mixture or RHS 144A, 146A and 146D; edged yellow,             nearest to RHS 11A. Mature foliage, abaxial surface — Green,             nearest to RHS 138A, and irregularly margined yellow-green,             nearest to RHS N144D; edged yellow, nearest to in between             RHS 8B and 11A. Venation — Pattern — Parallel. Color,             adaxial surface — The main vein nearest to in between green             and yellow-green, nearest to RHS 143A and 144A. All other             veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage:             nearest to in between green and yellow-green, RHS NN137A and             147A, and broadly and irregularly margined yellow-green,             nearest to a mixture or RHS 144A, 146A and 146D; edged             yellow, nearest to RHS 11A. Color, abaxial surface — The             main vein is yellow-green, nearest to RHS 146B. All other             veins are indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage:             green, nearest to RHS 138A, and irregularly margined             yellow-green, nearest to RHS 144D; edged yellow, nearest to             in between RHS 8B and 11A. -   Inflorescence: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Flower buds: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Flower: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Reproductive organs: To date, flowering has not been observed. -   Seed and fruit: To date, flowering has not been observed.

COMPARISONS WITH THE PARENT PLANT

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PVDRAGK’ may be distinguished from its parent, Dracaena fragrans ‘Golden Coast’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,603), by the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘PVDRAGK’ ‘Golden Coast’ Foliage attitude. Foliage is generally Foliage is generally more more relaxed. upright. General Exhibits green foliage Exhibits green foliage with coloration with narrow, light green broad, light green axial of the foliage. axial striations, and striations towards the broad yellow margins, margins; narrowly margined yellow.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘PVDRAGK’ may be distinguished from the closest known commercial comparator, the common form of the species Dracaena steudneri (not patented), by the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Characteristic ‘PVDRAGK’ Dracaena steudneri Foliage aspect. Less spiraled (i.e. axially More spiralled. twisted) Foliage attitude. Lower foliage is more Lower foliage is more upright than those of relaxed than those of Dracaena steudneri. ‘PVDRAGK’. Internode length. Longer internodes Shorter internodes compared to Dracaena compared to steudneri. ‘PVDRAGK’. Foliage size. Larger than that of Smaller than that of Dracaena steudneri. ‘PVDRAGK. General coloration Dark green, broadly and Has medium green of the foliage. irregularly margined leaves; yellow-green; edged no variegation. yellow. 

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dracaena plant named ‘PVDRAGK’, substantially as described and illustrated herein. 